Agitation/Shadowing

In reply to @ljchr

I'm sorry if I offended you by my flippant post addressed to Karla; and I didn't mean to treat your question lightly. (I was just trying to add a little levity to life ambushed by the intrusion of dementia. Again, my sincere apologies.)

I'm also sorry that your husband is entering stage 6 of vascular dementia. I know how difficult it is because my husband is also in a stage of alzheimer, Lewy Body's, Parkinson's and vascular dementia that is causing insomnia, agitation and shadowing. No medication has helped because his condition is complicated to treat. (We have tried Remeron, Seroquel, Rexulti and Ativan.)

I give George CBD/THC drops and gummies during the day and at night. They help a little but not enough.
CAVEAT: You have to be careful about mixing CBD with prescription medications. The reaction varies from individual to individual. Before I started giving George CBD, I researched drug interactions, and read that mixing drugs or mixing drugs with CBD, especially in the case elderly patients, can lead to breathing issues, coma, and death. I also made a list of all of George's prescription medications and consulted with a geriatric psychiatrist AND an MD who was an international cannabis expert. They were worth the out-of-pocket expenses and very reassuring.

Our shared journey is daunting, but as Karla regularly reminds us, "[w]e're all in this together"; and with the collective support of this group, "we can do it." Thank you for inspiring us to be better caregivers by your sweet remark: " He is beginning to get agitated at times and so far I have been able to redirect him." (It's impossible for me to redirect George, so I come to forum to recenter myself.)

In closing, I would like to repost a message from teacher502 | @teacher502 | Mar 2 10:54am, quoting "1st Corinthians 13:7,8,13":

'Love
bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
ENDURES all things.
Love NEVER ENDS.
So now faith, hope and live abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. '

Love,
George's Wife

P.S. Sorry for any grammatical errors or typos. (I'm typing with one hand these days.)

This AI Overview I found might be of help to you:

"Manage Alzheimer's agitation by first identifying triggers. Before using medication, address underlying physical discomforts like pain or infections. If non-drug approaches are insufficient, FDA-approved pharmacological options include Brexpiprazole (Rexulti), an atypical antipsychotic, and Dextromethorphan-bupropion (Auvelity).

Alzheimer's Association
+4
1. Non-Pharmacological Interventions (First-Line)
Always try these behavioral and environmental strategies first to avoid the side effects of medications:

VJDementia
·VJDementia
+1
Identify triggers: Agitation is often a form of communication. Check for pain, hunger, thirst, fatigue, or a need to use the restroom.
Simplify the environment: Minimize background noise, harsh lighting, and clutter.
Establish routines: Keep to a consistent daily schedule for meals, waking, and sleeping to prevent "sundowning".
Use redirection: Offer familiar activities, comforting snacks, or soft, soothing music.

Alzheimer's Association
+4
2. FDA-Approved Medications
If agitation is severe, endangers the patient or others, and does not respond to environmental changes, a doctor may prescribe medication:

VJDementia
·VJDementia
+1
Brexpiprazole (Rexulti): The first atypical antipsychotic officially approved by the FDA for the treatment of agitation associated with Alzheimer's dementia.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (.gov)
+1
Dextromethorphan-bupropion (Auvelity): The first non-antipsychotic, non-psychotropic drug specifically approved to manage dementia-related agitation.

Alzheimer's Association
3. Off-Label Medications
Healthcare providers may also use certain medications off-label:

Consultant360
+1
Antidepressants: SSRIs (like citalopram or sertraline) are sometimes used if the agitation is accompanied by depression or anxiety.
Other Antipsychotics: Older off-label antipsychotics (such as risperidone or olanzapine) are sometimes prescribed, but they carry a Boxed Warning for increased risk of death in elderly dementia patients.

WebMD
+1
Read more about these behavioral strategies on the Alzheimer's Association or review the formal announcement for approved treatments via the FDA."

@ljchr
I am relieved that I did not offend you. (I had posted something about Karla's response--just to tease her; and at that point, I had not yet address the issue of your husband's agitation and shadowing. Afterwards, I realized that you might have thought that I was being too flippant about the dilemma presented by your husband's behavior.)

George's Wife

@minniem I needed your humor this morning. Thank you for chiming in, and validating, we're all in this together. Same events, same situation, just different names/people living in our house. It's all too consuming at times, why I like to get up early, log in, see this site, and post when I can add any value - or at minimum a bit of humor.
Best, Karla

@ljchr
I am relieved that I did not offend you. (I had posted something about Karla's response--just to tease her; and at that point, I had not yet address the issue of your husband's agitation and shadowing. Afterwards, I realized that you might have thought that I was being too flippant about the dilemma presented by your husband's behavior.)

George's Wife

@georgescraftjr @ljchr It's good that we can still find something inside of us to muster up a bit of humor, especially during "tense" times. It would be great if we could all sit in front of each other - where we can see each other's faces, show support and our good will in all of this. Posting can be tough at times as it's all subject to interpretation. As caregivers in this together, I appreciate the kind, savvy advice from all of you who "walk this walk." Best, Karla

@georgescraftjr I always find your posts so rewarding, filled with so much education about this disease, elegantly written, where although you tell me my posts sound like prose, your writing has this beautiful flow, that lyrically plays out on paper. There's so much wisdom from your experience with this disease and for that I'm grateful. I received a response back this week, where either I wrote my post in a confusing way, or the reader just read it wrong. That bothered me for days, and I don't know why, as the advice we give, comes from our hearts and our own vantage point. Therefore, we use what's valuable and set aside the rest for if and when we need it. Because of you, I'm listening this morning to Jelly Roll and Lady Gaga, "God I'm Tired of Trying, and Holy Spirit Fill Again". "Lord, I'm fragile, sweep through the cracks of my heart, where the brokenness lies, Holy Spirit fill again. When I'm too weak to stand, you lift me with your hands." Every little gem of wisdom on this site, has lifted me. Thank you. Best, Karla

@kjc48
I think someone should invent dementia summer camp. We can all be down by the river with adult beverages and the camp counselors can be with our loved ones.
🏕